2013 Toyota Prius problems and complaints

Owners have filed 409 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Prius. The most-reported areas: Service Brakes (239), Electrical System (51), Unknown Or Other (49).

Key takeaways

  • 409 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 39 involve a crash, 3 a fire, 23 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Service Brakes23958%
Electrical System5112%
Unknown Or Other4912%
Engine379%
Vehicle Speed Control225%
Air Bags184%
Fuel/Propulsion System164%
Power Train143%
Structure133%
Forward Collision Avoidance123%
Exterior Lighting123%
Wheels92%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2013 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD5/54/55/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic,vehicle Speed Control - filed 2026-09-10

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. Minutes later, the vehicle started to brake and lurch forward with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle spun out and crashed into the median. The contact’s chest struck ...

Suspension,unknown Or Other - filed 2026-08-28

My 2013 Prius has 86,500 miles on it. It has been regularly maintained. A routine state inspection revealed a severely rusted rear axle beam and a front axle that is heading in that direction. Other Prius' in [XXX] have had this issue, and in some cases, the wheels have detached from the axle while the car is in mot...

Service Brakes - filed 2026-08-26

The break pump for my 2013 prius is going out and is a known issue with Toyota. I contacted toyota and they have stated because it is past the extended warranty they can not repair it and aren't liable for it. I bought the car used and was unaware that it has been a known issue for years. The previous owner did not hav...

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More for the 2013 Toyota Prius

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.